A group of us were there that night. We drove down from Dayton in our VW bus. This was a Halloween-Eve show and about half of the audience came in costumes. The Dead had crates of gallon jugs of eKool-Aid on stage that Jerry and crew passed down to the audience. This was one of the last shows that Jerry ever played with NRPS on pedal steel. Epic night and performances. Some of the wildest and weirdest sights as well.

I was at that concert, a sophomore in college then. The Taft was perfect for this show. I don't know the seating capacity but it was around 1500. Cincinnati had strict hours for concert times. I remember that the power was shut off because the concert went up to that time. The band was on that evening. The opening act was New Riders of the Purple Sage with Garcia on pedal steel, who were being introduced then.

I wasn't at this show because I was 7 months old, but hopped on the bus in the late 80's. The Taft is still there and is my absolute favorite concert venue of all-time. Historical context for the show: Duane Allman died the day before this show.😢

As previous reviewers have noted, the Not Fade Away/Goin Down The Road is excellent, as is the Comes A Time--both very unique versions. This show is probably overlooked because of the lack of long jams, but it is pretty damn good. Excellent sound quality, very enjoyable between-song banter, and I have to point out one of the best El Pasos ever (since nobody else did). The whole night shows a very engaged, vibrant band.

The boys touch on a brief melodic theme about halfway through the first NFA, that though familiar sounding, is unique to this version. It is absolutely gorgeous. Bobby initiates it, and the others pick up on it for a few bars, but Bobby doesn't seem to want to let it go. I wish it could have gone on forever.

The rest of the show is fine fall 71, but doesn't feature anything quite like that.

This version is indeed nice, as is the whole show. Melodic and focused with inventive short jams. My only beef with the Comes a Time is the lack of a longer jam at the end, and the shortish solo after verse 2, which by the way was often verse 3 that spring, until Jerry dropped it, as well as the falsetto on empty cup, which he hits briefly but sweetly on this night. Nice moment in Jack Straw I just heard, Jerry with a series of walk downs, repeated slow runs down the scale behind Bobby's vocal starting with got to go to Tulsa... never heard him do that before. One example of the many subtle extra explorations they were pursuing.

Best one I ever heard

Best version ever.

I was there, with my dad and my best friend. We drove from Louisville. I was very disappointed with the short songs and lack of jamming. I got on the bus December 7, 1968, at Bellarmine College (now University), and caught the Dead Jan 31 and the add-on "Bread for the Dead" Feb 1 1970 Warehouse shows in New Orleans. Bellarmine Dark Star (before releases on record, didn't know what it was back then), 40-minutes jamming on Lovelight with Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac at the "Bread" show. Oh well, my dad, now 90 still has fond memories of the concert, as do I for social and personal rather than musical reasons.

All I know is this was playing the day I was born

Never was wild about this song but this version is starting to change my mind. It's wicked fast and Jerry sounds really into it. Keith's piano is a great subtle addition to the song as well.

Bar Band Dead is right. Liking this show so far. Five stars for what I've heard.

These 3 consecutive Ohio shows rock, and Keith sounds like he is fitting in after only 11 days! This is a great source, and every bit as good as the next night, which was released as Dick's Pick's 2

Another vote for this version. Really sweet. Jerry is arguably at the peak of his vocal abilities in this time period ... although I have to wonder if he fully intended the falsetto notes he manages to hit during the second 'empty cup' chorus.

But there's still a good bit of that young greasy revolutionary from 1966 peaking through here and there. Who else could sing Brown Eyed Women and make it sound like a true story? Levon Helm, maybe? The number of children in this version seems reduced to three instead of eight, or maybe I've just been mis-hearing things all these years.

I had a long drawn out ode to Pig who is sorely missed and really does take the band to the nth degree when he is there - that said, this is a wonderful show full of alot of back and forth with the crowd and some wonderful playing by Phil and Jerry. NFA>GTRFB>NFA, Playin, are huge.

Pig not being there drops points however they play as well as they can without him. Just need to say a few words on his behalf.

This recording is incredible and the show is equal to the task. If you're a fan of the rock-a-billy Dead and want to hear a unique moment in GD history, you will follow along here with these glowing reviews, download this concert then turn up your computer speakers, burn some discs or drop them in your personal music device and boogie down, fool. I've got my i-pod's earbuds glued to ears on this one. Every single song is performed to perfection...well, near perfection. Perfection's comin' in a few months when 1972 takes off. Still, these October shows leading to the New Year contain some of the band's best vocals and musianship. Bring on the ice cream cones and clowns, folks. Get on the bus.
As Jerry says in Ramble On Rose, "Do yourself a favor"..."Take you to the leader of the band!" Listen to Jerry tell the guy yelling out Truckin' a thing or too. Nothing like Jerry telling you to calm down! Pretty fun dialogue as a welcome bonus to this sweet show.
Kickin' It with the five skullstars.

I have been listening to tons of shows for the past couple of months and just found this one. Definately enjoy Comes a Time

I've been grabbing shows here for a long time and don't know how I missed this. I've had the NRPS set for a long time and always figured the Dead show must have been recorded too. Sampled a couple of tunes and the sound is great. It's the bar band Dead with newbie Keith (absolutely the best keyboard player they ever had, with all due respect to TC).

Jerry's vocals are absolutely chilling on 'Comes a Time'...
"Don't give it up
you've got an empty cup
only love can fill
only love can fill".
Nice banter. Phil introduces Keith to the crowd.
Same source as a sound board...I think...Clean Clear Harmonic Vocal's throughout. The Boys just gallop through Truckin' and Not Fade Away.

now THIS is the recording of this show that i knew existed! a favorite of mine from the 3rd gen analog days, im glad to see something that sounds better than my old TDKs.

thanks to whovever uploaded this!

The historical context, of course, is that Keith Godchaux debuted with the band in public less than two weeks before this. His sound here is bright, up front, and rockin'. It's very plain to hear that they had done some rehearsing. Nothing spacey about this show, but do put on your rockin' shoes. Jerry and Bob share some great harmonizing in Me and Bobby McGee and Jack Straw.
The sound source cut in GDTRFB is a bit obvious but by no means detracts from the overall splendor. All in all, it's a great sounding show from an often maligned period. I've always been a big Harding Theater fan of the following week and sung the open praises of Dick's Picks 2 which is the night after this. For those in appreciation of this era's quintet, do yourself a flavor and download.